Comedian Kathy Griffin had surgery for lung cancer Monday, saying before the procedure that doctors "are very optimistic" that she can make a full recovery and even avoid chemotherapy.
Griffin, the star of "My Life on the D-List," said half of her left lung would be removed.
"Yes, I have lung cancer even though I've never smoked!" she tweeted. "The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung. Hopefully no chemo or radiation after this and I should have normal function with my breathing."
A representative said Monday afternoon that the surgery "went well and as planned."
"Kathy is now in recovery now and resting," the spokesperson said. "Doctors say the procedure was normal without any surprises."
Griffin, 60, appeared to make passing reference to her career struggles since 2017, when she posted a gruesome image on Twitter lifting a bloodied head that resembled that of then-President Donald Trump.
The image cost Griffin her longtime gig co-hosting CNN's New Year's Eve coverage with network anchor Anderson Cooper.
"It's been a helluva 4 years, trying to get back to work, making you guys laugh and entertaining you, but I'm gonna be just fine," she wrote Monday.
Shortly after Griffin made the stunning disclosure, well wishes poured in from her friends and fans. Actor Mia Farrow tweeted: "A major, scary ordeal but they will remove it and you will be just fine. In the meantime i will keep you in my prayers dear Kathy."
And Griffin, a longtime supporter of LGBTQ rights, got encouraging words from the advocacy group GLAAD, which said, "Sending you love and support."
CORRECTION (Aug. 2, 2021, 7 p.m.): A previous version of this article misspelled the name of a prominent LGBTQ advocacy group. It is GLAAD, not GLADD.
